SHANGHAI, The Peoples Republic
of China -- Minister of the Environment the Hon. Earl Deveaux attended
the commissioning ceremony of the newest vessel on the Bahamian ship
registry in Shanghai, the People’s Republic of China, on Wednesday,
January 6.

Mrs. Barbara Jean Deveaux,
the Minister’s wife, officially named the vessel the CS Caroline in
honour of the late Winifred Caroline Mortimer. The vessel will be managed
by Campbell Shipping Company Limited, a Bahamian company.

The ship was built in Jaingsu
Province, Peoples Republic of China, by Tsuji Industries (Jiangsu) Co.
Ltd. and designed by Algoship Designers Limited. G.T.R. Campbell Marine
Consultants Limited supervised the construction of the ship. Both
companies are Bahamian and have offices in Nassau.

Minister Deveaux said The Bahamas
ship registry has many vessels built in China by Bahamian companies
and valued well in excess of a billion U.S. dollars.

He also noted that the Peoples
Republic of China and The Bahamas have had formal diplomatic relations
for over 12 years.

“However, our cultures have
been comingled for a very long time, as many of The Bahamas most successful
citizens are of Chinese origin,” Minister Deveaux said. “The relationship
between our countries has proven to be mutually beneficial to both countries.

“The Bahamas has benefitted
from significant Chinese investments, notably Hutchinson Whampoa in
Freeport, Grand Bahama. The generosity of the Chinese people is
exemplified in the gift of a Sports Complex and expert technical support
by the Government of the Peoples Republic of China.”

Barabara Jean Deveaux, the wife of the Minister of the Environment the Hon Dr Earl Deveaux formally names the newest vessel on the Bahamian Registry in Shanghai, the Peoples Republic of China. Pictured from left: Dr Deveaux; Eleanor Phillips, Director of the Nature Conservancy Bahamas; Lowell J. Mortimer, President of Campbell Shipping the company that owns CS Caroline; Mrs. BJ Deveaux and Yasuji Kodama, Vice President of Tsuji Heavy Industries (Jiangsu) Co. Ltd.

Minister Deveaux explained
that The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) has been an industry leader
in meeting the challenge of administering one of the world’s finest
registries.

“Under the BMA’s oversight
and with strong support, The Bahamas flagged ocean going fleet has grown
to become the third largest in the world.

“The Bahamian Registry has
5.2 million gross tonnes comprising of 1,670 vessels which carry the
Bahamian flag. The registry is widely regarded as among the best
in terms of quality,” Minister Deveaux said.

He said the international maritime
sector has significant potential for expansion and the Authority has
recently chosen a new Managing Director, Commodore Davy Rolle, and will
face future challenges and opportunities with renewed vigour and purpose.

He singled out three initiatives
to highlight the focus of The Bahamas maritime registry:

Yacht Registry –
The BMA is well advanced in completing a set of rules for yacht registration
to expand the profile of the registry.

Arbitration Act
– The Bahamas has recently enacted an Arbitration Act, a feature of
great value to international shipping.

Maritime Institute
– The demand for trained seafarers continues to grow. The Bahamas
is developing a model for training in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

Minister Deveaux also noted
that the maritime sector is a significant contributor to the Bahamian
economy.

“It is increasingly broad-based,
serving as the centre for maritime arbitration, new and renewed facilities
in and around the Port of Nassau, major international shipping operations
in Freeport and the growing ship repair facilities, all speak to the
opportunities for solid growth,” he said.